pet-mover

How to shift your pet overseas without a pet mover

You need quite good nerves to move your pet to another country.

You'll need to do a lot of hard work and have some cargo knowledge. It's possible to do it yourself. But before you begin you should also seriously consider finding a good pet mover.

The very first thing you need to do is contact the embassy of the country you're moving to.

Each nation has rules regulating things like quarantine, for instance. There are places where pets can be brought in only through certain airports. And pets will need travel documents, like us humans, and different countries ask to see different documents. So your first call should be to the officials. If you are using a pet mover, they will know that, and this part of the move will be simple.

OK, next stop is your airline

When that's done make your approach to the airline office. You will need to find out how to prepare the crate your pet will travel in, and what travel dates are available for you both.

Here a pet mover would give you animal health advice. But you can talk with your vet. You'll find you need injections, health clearances and medical certificates from him.

Pets fly best on nearly empty stomachs, so feed your pet less the day before the trip, and remember to take him outside for a walk an hour to two before departure.

The container you select for your pet's move has to provide standing room and enough space for turning around. Will your pet take medications when it travels? Put them in the crate and leave written instructions for airline staff.

Most importantly, see that the travel documention is 100 percent correct.